Show ContentsBowdell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Bowdell is rooted in the Old French translation a "bouteiller," a name for someone who was in charge of the wine cellar. This person was generally the head of the servants, the administrator of the estates, and held considerable power.

Early Origins of the Bowdell family

The surname Bowdell was first found in Normandy where they held a family seat as Seigniors of Wemme. Their ancient title was Butler (Bouteillier) to the Counts of Meulent (Robert de Beaumont about 1066,) the actual family name being Pincerna. This title was then adopted as a surname.

Early History of the Bowdell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bowdell research. Another 172 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1086, 1100, 1130, 1650, 1663, 1664, 1670 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Bowdell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bowdell Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Bowdell were recorded, including Bouteiller, Boutteillier, Bouthellier, Bouteillier, LeBoutillier, LeBouteillier, Boutillier, LeBoutillier, Boutouiller, Botelers, de Buitlier, LeBoutellier, Boutellier and many more.

Early Notables of the Bowdell family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Elizabeth Boutell, née Davenport (c.1650-1715), British actress who joined the King's Company about 1670. She was accordingly one of the first...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bowdell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Bowdell family to Ireland

Some of the Bowdell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Bowdell migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Bowdell arrived in North America very early:

Bowdell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • George Bowdell, who arrived in Maryland in 1667 [1]
  • Simon Bowdell, who landed in Maryland in 1667 [1]


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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